Mental health issues can range from mildly annoying to life-threatening, and it can often be difficult to gauge your mental state. If you’ve been noticing your mental health has been off, you might be wondering where to get help. Fortunately, resources abound for the full spectrum of challenges and for people from all backgrounds and of all ages. It is important to find out which of all the places you can go is right for you.
1. A Facility With Trained Professionals
Perhaps the most obvious location to turn to when you’re suffering is a mental health rehab center. Facilities like these can be public or private and offer in-patient or outpatient services. You can find quality programs run by psychiatrists and psychologists experienced in your specific challenges. Whether you are depressed, anxious, or recovering from trauma or substance abuse, there’s a place designed to help you.
Private organizations are often a bit more costly, but they also typically offer an elevated level of care. Still, for someone on a tight budget, it can feel cost-prohibitive, which can lead to you not getting help. Fortunately, community-based services run by your county or state can also provide quality support. The best approach is to call and visit different facilities. Ask questions, share your story, and decide which location feels like a good fit for you.
2. A Support Group
If you don’t feel like your struggles warrant a facility, consider a support group. Sometimes, it helps just to talk to other people in similar situations. In many regions of the country, you can find a support group for virtually every issue. You’ll meet others with similar struggles and undergo a kind of talk therapy. It is a safe space to share your story and listen to others do the same. It’s also often free.
One of the benefits of a support group that people don’t often consider is the opportunity to help others. Sometimes, providing support can be just as healing as receiving it. A support group offers you this chance to listen to others and step outside of your problems. If you can’t find one for you in-person, check online. Consider asking friends, family, or your spiritual adviser for recommendations.
3. Church
Speaking of spiritual advisers, the church can be an incredibly welcoming place for those with mental health issues. People have found refuge in their time of need in churches for thousands of years. Many churches provide much-needed community resources for many underserved people in society. The Catholic Church even has a branch of ministers trained specifically to help those with mental health issues.
You’re not limited by your beliefs and a denomination though. The trick to finding help for your personal struggle in the church is to find the church that is right for you. Speak to a pastor or minister about your challenge and pay attention to the response. If you don’t feel heard and supported, try a different church. For someone of faith, the right church can help you step outside of yourself and see a bigger picture. Sometimes, achieving this kind of humility and grace can do wonders for your mental health.
4. Veterans Affairs
If you’re a military veteran, there are services designed specifically to help you with your mental health issues. Veterans Affairs has a national network of mental health professionals and facilities available to you at no cost. It is worth looking into and taking advantage of, even if you don’t feel like your problem is a big one. Psychological problems can escalate if they’re not addressed, especially if you bury them.
Again, a simple internet search will help you find your local VA office, and you can start there with questions. Ask about getting counseling for your specific issue, and don’t give up if you don’t get answers right away. Just like with church, VA offices vary and have different options. Call around to different cities and counties near you if the first one you reach doesn’t help.
5. Alternative Therapy
If none of these options work for you, try an alternative source of treatment. For those who aren’t religious, veterans, or up for mental rehab, you’re not out of luck. Tons of alternative therapies are available for people interested in trying new things. Some people find relief and healing from taking an art class regularly. Others experience intense growth during yoga classes. Still others have seen improved mental health after going to the gym or walking daily in nature.
The point is this — psychiatry and psychology are essential components of society. But they’re not for everyone. Some people seek ways to work on healing themselves. So, if you’re hoping to find a place to lift depressing thoughts or alleviate anxiety, a path through the forest might be the one for you. And it doesn’t have to be one or the other, these therapies can complement each other.
In the end, there is no single, cardboard cutout solution that’s right for everyone. You are an individual, and your healing process is unique to you. Depending on the intensity of your struggle, you might want to start with yoga, a nature walk, or a support group. At the same time, you may feel in urgent need of serious help, in which case mental rehab may be your salvation. Whatever you choose, remember that you can get help. It can get better, and you are not alone.
